Purchasing a home before auction?

[Ronald Benson]

Hello,

I was having a conversation with a fellow investor and he mentioned that some of his deals is when he approaches homeowners that are behind on their taxes and offers them deal. Absorbs their back taxes and cut them a piece and in return he gets the deed. Now, is it possible that one could search the sherif sale auction and approach the owner and do the same thing even though the city is already set to auction off the house? 

Thanks for any input you may share :)